We know this because the results of the Apple Watch teardown by iFixit suggest Apple is unlikely to be able to offer upgrades to its latest wearable device. In fact, even “basic component replacements look nearly impossible” owing to the permanent nature of the glue, resin, and solder used in the manufacturing process.

Apple has been accused of embarking on a program of planned obsolescence for many years, but the Apple Watch may just be the most egregious example so far. Whether owners of the $10,000 Apple Watch Edition will be treated differently than the proles buying the cheaper models remains to be seen.

Acer Promises To Be the Last Man Standing

Jason Chen, Acer CEO: "4 or 5 remaining PC makers are all survivors…but we will be the last man standing" as segment stabilizes. #keepasking

Chen was speaking at the start of a press conference in New York being held to announce a number of new products. This includes a new 2-in-1 Windows device, a 15-inch Chromebook, and a pair of new Iconia tablets.

The plan was to allow developers to sell mods, with Valve and the developers of the game being modded swallowing up 75 percent of all revenues generated. The company explained why it has shelved the system, saying, “We’ve done this because it’s clear we didn’t understand exactly what we were doing.”

This doesn’t mean this is the end of the road for paid mods, with Valve co-founder Game Newell stating during a Reddit AMA, “Our goal is to make modding better for the authors and gamers. If something doesn’t help with that, it will get dumped. Right now I’m more optimistic that this will be a win for authors and gamers, but we are always going to be data driven.”

Facebook Adds Video Calling to Messenger

Facebook has added video calling to its Messenger app, letting you chat with your Facebook friends with an added degree of personality. That is if any actually have a personality. Starting a video call is as simple as tapping the camera icon in the top right-hand corner of the chat screen.

In a conciliatory blog post, Owen Hill from Mojang said, “Jolly old Steve doesn’t really represent the diversity of our playerbase. For that reason, we’re giving all players opportunity to play with an Alex skin instead. She brings thinner arms, redder hair, and a ponytail.”

The 5 Stages of Watching Marvel Movies

And finally, we suspect a lot of you have either already seen The Avengers: Age of Ultron or are planning to do do in the next couple of weeks. Which makes this video demonstrating the five stages of watching a Marvel movie very timely indeed.

I recognized all of these behaviors in myself except Number 4, as I left the movie theater feeling a little deflated rather than amazed. Hence my decidedly average rating in our Age of Ultron geek review. Don’t worry, it’s completely free of spoilers. [H/T The A.V. Club]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

How do you feel about the planned obsolescence of products such as the Apple Watch? Will Acer really be the last man standing in terms of selling PCs? Is Valve right to have listened to its users over the selling of mods?

Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.

All apple products suffer the same fate. Try watching netflix or playing WordsWithFriends on an iPad 1. Granted, all computerized electronics become obsolete over time , but the time frame is far shorter. Also, while Windows XP is obsolete in my opinion, I can still feasibly use it to watch netflix.

Dave Parrack is a journalist from the UK. Growing up at a time when the internet was blossoming inspired his fascination with technology. With 10 years experience writing online, he's currently the Tech News writer and Entertainment editor at MakeUseOf. You can follow him at About.me.